Colorado REALTORS® Recognize 2026 Leaders in Diversity and Inclusion
Three Colorado REALTORS® honored for expanding access and opportunity; Wings Credit Union recognized as community partner
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® (CAR) honored three REALTORS® and one community partner for their work to expand access, opportunity, and inclusion in Colorado’s real estate industry and the communities it serves. The 2026 Diversity & Inclusion Awards were presented during CAR’s annual Inaugural Dinner.
Giovanna O. Kennedy, Aspen, CO – received an Outstanding Individual Diversity & Inclusion Award for her work expanding access to homeownership, financial education, and business opportunities, particularly within Spanish-speaking communities. As the listing broker for Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley’s largest homeownership development, The Carter, Kennedy provides bilingual education to help first-time buyers navigate financing, down payment assistance, and affordable housing programs. She also helped organize Glenwood Springs’ first Affordable Housing Forum presented in Spanish with English interpretation and launched Hablemos de Negocios (Let’s Talk Business), a bilingual educational series for Hispanic business owners.
Libby Earthman, Longmont, CO – was recognized for making the homebuying and selling experience more accessible to neurodivergent individuals and families with disabilities. Drawing in part from her own experience as the parent of an autistic child, Earthman developed a “Sensory Smart” approach to real estate that considers sensory needs throughout the client experience — from initial conversations and home tours to communication and transaction management. She also serves in leadership with Inclusive Acres Boulder County, supporting programs and events for children with disabilities and their families. Her impact extends directly to her clients, including helping one family make their new home safer and more sensory-friendly for their children with autism.
Malisa Miller Eakins, Lakewood, CO – received an Outstanding Individual Diversity & Inclusion Award for her leadership in Fair Housing and advocacy for greater accessibility in real estate. As a board member of Colorado Housing Access for those with Disabilities (CHAD), Eakins helped identify a gap in how accessible homes were marketed and searched. Her advocacy contributed to REcolorado adding accessibility-related search fields to the MLS, making it easier to identify property features such as walk-in showers, ramps, and other accessibility improvements. Eakins has also served on CAR’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and as Chair of DMAR’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, helping advance Fair Housing education and inclusive practices within the profession.
The 2026 Community Partner Award was presented to Wings Credit Union, recognizing efforts to help Spanish-speaking consumers better understand the mortgage process and pathways to homeownership. The nomination highlighted the work of Kevin Serrano-Rojas, who provides Spanish-speaking buyers with hands-on education about the U.S. mortgage system, required documentation, available loan programs, and the steps involved in becoming a homeowner.
“These honorees show us what inclusion looks like when it becomes part of the everyday work of serving people,” said Adrian Espinoza, 2026 Chair of CAR’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. “Whether they are helping families overcome language barriers, making the real estate experience more accessible for people with disabilities, or creating new pathways to homeownership, each of these award recipients is turning a commitment to inclusion into meaningful action in Colorado communities.”
The Colorado Association of REALTORS® is the state’s largest real estate trade association that represents more than 21,000 members statewide. The association supports private property rights, equal housing opportunities and is the “Voice of Real Estate” in Colorado. For more information, visit www.ColoradoREALTORS.com.